There is a growing consensus among experts and the educated public alike that democratization will reduce the many problems of the Muslim world. The question that remains is how Islam should be incorporated into the public sphere. Islamic Democratic Discourse is in itself a dialogue that explores the multi-faceted relationship between Islam and democracy. Each chapter, by a preeminent scholar of the Muslim tradition and its contemporary challenges, provides insight into Islamic political thought and its connection to Western democracy. Tamara Sonn and Tarek Ramdan consider the elements of government in classical Islam. Osman Bakar and Ali Paya provide regional studies of the search for compatibility between Islam and democracy. And finally, editor Muqtedar Khan and Marc Lynch are among those who offer a global perspective on the discourse on Islam and democracy. Unlike many recent efforts which seek to either underscore or dispute the compatibility of Islam and democracy, this eclectic collection begins a comprehensive conversation on Islam's role in the public sphere and charts a course toward an authentic Islamic theory of democracy. Islamic Democratic Discourse is a crucial addition to the libraries of scholars interested in the future of Islam in the modern world.
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Dr. Muqtedar Khan is assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware and a Nonresident Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Part 1 IntroductionChapter 2 The Emergence of an Islamic Democratic DiscoursePart 3 Classical Perspectives on Islam and PoliticsChapter 4 Ijtihad and MaslahaChapter 5 Elements of Government in Classical IslamChapter 6 Obedience to Political Authority: An Evolutionary ConceptPart 7 Regional Debates on Islam and DemocracyChapter 8 Islam, Ethnicity, Pluralism and Democracy: Malaysia's Unique ExperienceChapter 9 An Islamic Quest for Pluralistic Political Models: A Turkish PerspectiveChapter 10 Islamic Thought between Formal Conservatism and Indigenous Liberalism: Lesson from the Sudanese HeritageChapter 11 Current trends in Political Thought: Perspectives from Shi'i ThoughtPart 12 Global Discourse on Islam and DemocracyChapter 13 The Politics, Theory and Philosophy of Islamic DemocracyChapter 14 The Role of Islam in Public SquareChapter 15 Dialogue in an Age of TerrorChapter 16 Democracy and its Muslim Critics: an Islamic alternative to Democracy?

This is a powerful and informative book that addresses difficult issues related to Islam and Democracy. The authors write in concise and simple language, accessible to all, on a subject that can challenge Muslim and non-Muslim readers alike. The outcome is probably the best combination of essays that exists to date. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning about the challenges of democratization in the Muslim world today.— Radwan Masmoudi, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy

These thoughtful essays, from a variety of methodological standpoints, deepen the emerging conversation about Islam, democracy, and liberalism. The historian, the political scientist, and the student of the Middle East can each find here material of interest. A valuable contribution to the most pressing topic of the day.— Noah Feldman, New York University School of Law

This volume distinguishes itself from the recent deluge of books on Islam in the public sphere....provocative.— Political Studies Review, January 2009

This excellent volume defines the agenda for future thinking about Islam and democracy. It is essential for those who want to go beyond media platitudes and engage with the Islamic intellectual traditions and sources of pluralism, democracy and good governance. Muqtedar Khan has done an excellent job of brining together a broad spectrum of views, with cutting edge scholars presenting the major arguments in current debates.— John Voll, Georgetown University

Islamic Democratic Discourse

Theory, Debates, and Philosophical Perspectives

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Paperback

eBook

Summary

Summary

There is a growing consensus among experts and the educated public alike that democratization will reduce the many problems of the Muslim world. The question that remains is how Islam should be incorporated into the public sphere. Islamic Democratic Discourse is in itself a dialogue that explores the multi-faceted relationship between Islam and democracy. Each chapter, by a preeminent scholar of the Muslim tradition and its contemporary challenges, provides insight into Islamic political thought and its connection to Western democracy. Tamara Sonn and Tarek Ramdan consider the elements of government in classical Islam. Osman Bakar and Ali Paya provide regional studies of the search for compatibility between Islam and democracy. And finally, editor Muqtedar Khan and Marc Lynch are among those who offer a global perspective on the discourse on Islam and democracy. Unlike many recent efforts which seek to either underscore or dispute the compatibility of Islam and democracy, this eclectic collection begins a comprehensive conversation on Islam's role in the public sphere and charts a course toward an authentic Islamic theory of democracy. Islamic Democratic Discourse is a crucial addition to the libraries of scholars interested in the future of Islam in the modern world.

Dr. Muqtedar Khan is assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware and a Nonresident Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Part 1 IntroductionChapter 2 The Emergence of an Islamic Democratic DiscoursePart 3 Classical Perspectives on Islam and PoliticsChapter 4 Ijtihad and MaslahaChapter 5 Elements of Government in Classical IslamChapter 6 Obedience to Political Authority: An Evolutionary ConceptPart 7 Regional Debates on Islam and DemocracyChapter 8 Islam, Ethnicity, Pluralism and Democracy: Malaysia's Unique ExperienceChapter 9 An Islamic Quest for Pluralistic Political Models: A Turkish PerspectiveChapter 10 Islamic Thought between Formal Conservatism and Indigenous Liberalism: Lesson from the Sudanese HeritageChapter 11 Current trends in Political Thought: Perspectives from Shi'i ThoughtPart 12 Global Discourse on Islam and DemocracyChapter 13 The Politics, Theory and Philosophy of Islamic DemocracyChapter 14 The Role of Islam in Public SquareChapter 15 Dialogue in an Age of TerrorChapter 16 Democracy and its Muslim Critics: an Islamic alternative to Democracy?

Reviews

Reviews

This is a powerful and informative book that addresses difficult issues related to Islam and Democracy. The authors write in concise and simple language, accessible to all, on a subject that can challenge Muslim and non-Muslim readers alike. The outcome is probably the best combination of essays that exists to date. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning about the challenges of democratization in the Muslim world today.— Radwan Masmoudi, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy

These thoughtful essays, from a variety of methodological standpoints, deepen the emerging conversation about Islam, democracy, and liberalism. The historian, the political scientist, and the student of the Middle East can each find here material of interest. A valuable contribution to the most pressing topic of the day.— Noah Feldman, New York University School of Law

This volume distinguishes itself from the recent deluge of books on Islam in the public sphere....provocative.— Political Studies Review, January 2009

This excellent volume defines the agenda for future thinking about Islam and democracy. It is essential for those who want to go beyond media platitudes and engage with the Islamic intellectual traditions and sources of pluralism, democracy and good governance. Muqtedar Khan has done an excellent job of brining together a broad spectrum of views, with cutting edge scholars presenting the major arguments in current debates.— John Voll, Georgetown University